Method of manufacturing a mop

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a mop and in particular a mop head. The mop head is made from a rectangular piece of open cell sponge, a cylindrical core and a wringer assembly. A groove is cut along a longitudinal axis of the sponge while the external rectangular corners are also removed along the longitudinal axis to define a member with substantially five equal longitudinal surfaces. An adhesive is placed in the groove to join the cylindrical core with the open cell sponge. The wringer assembly has a strap which retains a roller which is attached to the cylindrical core to locate the roller at a fixed distance from the cylindrical core. A handle which is perpendicularly attached to the center of the cylindrical core has a tapered surface which provides a stop for the roller in the rest position.

I claim: 
     
       1. A method of manufacturing a mop comprising the steps of: obtaining a sponge from a source of supply, said sponge having a generally rectangular shape with a top surface separated from a bottom surface by a predetermined uniform thickness, said sponge having a first end separated from a second end by first and second parallel side surfaces;   forming a groove in said top surface along a plane parallel to said first and second side surfaces to create first and second lands;   applying a layer of adhesive to said sponge in said groove;   obtaining a cylindrical member from a source of supply, said cylindrical member having a first end and a second end;   placing said cylindrical member in said groove such that said first and second ends thereof are aligned with the first and second ends of said sponge;   curing said adhesive to affix said sponge to said cylindrical member;   attaching a first handle to said cylindrical member;   obtaining a wringer assembly from a source, said ringer assembly having a strap with a first end and a second end, said strap having a first side adjacent said first end and a second side adjacent said second end, said first side and second side being connected to a center section, said first and second sides each having first and second holes a fixed distances from first and second ends;   obtaining a roller from a source of supply;   securing said roller to said strap by means extending through said second holes in said first and second sides; and   securing said strap to said cylindrical member by means extending through each of said first holes in said first and second sides of said strap such that said roller is parallel to said cylindrical member, one of said first and second lands acting on and urging said roller into engagement with said first handle when said strap is in a first rest position, said strap being adapted to rotate in an arc to a second position to uniformly remove any liquid from said sponge where the other of said first and second lands act on and urge said roller into engagement with said first handle.   
     
     
       2. The method manufacturing a mop as recited in claim 1 further including the step of: removing the intersecting corners between said parallel side surfaces and bottom surface on said sponge to create first, second, third, fourth and fifth peripheral longitudinal working surfaces, said working surfaces being substantially equal in width to provide symmetry and aid in the removal of liquid from the sponge on movement of said wringer assembly.   
     
     
       3. The method as recited in claim 2 further including the step of: applying a coating to at least one of said peripheral working surfaces, said coating including an abrasive particle to create a different surface on said working surfaces.   
     
     
       4. The method as recited in claim 3 further including the step of: attaching a second handle to said center section of said strap, said second handle having a groove located adjacent said center section to divert any liquid away from the second handle that may communicated from said sponge by way of said strap.   
     
     
       5. The method as recited in claim 4 wherein said step of attaching said first handle to said cylindrical member includes the steps of: locating the center of said cylindrical member;   forming first and second holes substantially equal distance from said center and along a plane perpendicular to said cylindrical member;   obtaining a bracket from a source, said bracket having a base with a tube extending therefrom; attaching said bracket to said cylindrical member by fastener member being inserted through said base and into said first and second holes; and   screwing a pole into said tube.   
     
     
       6. The method as recited in claim 4 wherein said step of attaching said first handle to said cylindrical member includes the steps of: locating the center of said cylindrical member;   forming first and second holes substantially equal distance from said center and along a plane perpendicular to said cylindrical member;   obtaining a bracket from a source, said bracket having a base with a tube extending therefrom; attaching said bracket to said cylindrical member by fastener member being inserted through said base and into said first and second holes;   locating a handle in said tube; and   staking said handle to said tube.